It seems like everyone on the internet is more glowing and moisturized than me. As I scroll down my FYP, I’m spotting glistening skin—a gleam that can only be the result of a trip to the tropics after a day spent basking in the sun. It’s skin that reads summertime, when in reality, it’s February when the allure of winter is long over. Just last week the wind index was in the negatives; in New York City, mounds of ice from last month’s snow storm are still crowding every sidewalk. Morale is low! Perhaps the only way to keep our spirits up (and seasonal depression at bay!), is an indulgent nightly beauty regimen. I’ve been keeping my facial skin soft and supple, but has everybody been practicing an equally as prescriptive body-care routine without me?
Vogue’s Favorite Body-Care Products for Winter
If you grew up in a “don’t trust anyone with ashy elbows” household, this may not be new territory. But for many of us, body care knowledge doesn’t extend much further than drugstore lotion; however, like facial skincare, there is technically an order to things. Just as we layer products from thinnest to thickest on our face, the same principle applies to the body.
According to esthetician and beauty expert Sean Garrette, the right body skin-care steps for winter are as follows: exfoliate, serum, lotion, oil, and butter. “These steps really depend on your skin type and how dry your skin is during the winter.” He adds that “during the winter, if you’re suffering from chronically dry, chapped, or cracked skin, having a consistent body care routine is essential to keeping your skin protected and nourished in harsh weather.”
Below, I break down what I learned from Garrette and two beauty creators. Consider this our step-by-step guide to body care; along with a curated edit of Vogue-approved products in each category, informed our team’s testing.
Step One: Exfoliate
Often overlooked, exfoliation is arguably the most important step in a body-care routine and could be the reason your favorite lotions aren’t fully absorbing into your skin. Garrette keeps it simple when it comes to maintaining soft, supple skin in the winter: exfoliation plus hydration. “You want to have a consistent exfoliation routine that helps to slough off those dead, dry, flaky skin cells and replenish the skin with moisture using hydrating serums.”